The Discipline of Curiosity: The Art of the "Blind Question"

In our latest sessions with Barefoot Coaching Ltd, we stepped away from structured models to explore a more fluid discipline: Curiosity. Specifically, we looked at "Blind Questions"—the practice of asking questions without having (or seeking) full context.

The goal is to stay curious and avoid the "Expert Trap" where we assume we already know the answer. As a Delivery Lead, I realized I do this often in project status meetings. Sometimes, being slightly removed from the technical weeds allows you to ask the "obvious" questions that those buried in the details have stopped asking.

Who is the Question For?

A vital reminder surfaced during our discussion: Check your intent. Before speaking, ask yourself:

“Am I asking this question for my own understanding, or for the benefit of the person in front of me?”

In coaching, if a question is designed to satisfy the coach's curiosity, it’s a distraction. If it’s designed to spark the coachee’s curiosity, it’s a catalyst.

Insights from the "Hot Seat"

I volunteered for an exercise called the Hot Seat. The format is intentionally unusual: I sat in the center while the group fired questions at me regarding a topic I wanted to explore—how to revive a Community of Practice.

The catch? I wasn't allowed to answer them. I simply had to listen and reflect internally.

Initially, my "performative instinct" flared up. I worried about the silence. I worried about looking like I wasn't "getting it" fast enough. But as I settled in, the pressure faded. Among the fifteen or so questions, some were complex and others strikingly simple. By the end, those simple inquiries had unlocked perspectives I hadn't considered in months of overthinking the problem.

The Sound of Thinking

This experience reinforced a core truth for both coaches and leaders: You don’t need perfect knowledge to add meaningful value. A "brilliant" question might fall flat, while a basic one might break a mental dam. It all comes down to being attuned to the person in front of you.

In professional environments, we often treat silence as a void that needs to be filled—an awkward sign of unproductive time. But in the Hot Seat, I learned that silence is simply the sound of someone thinking. ### A Final Reflection for Leaders As leaders, we are often judged on our ability to provide answers. But perhaps our real value lies in our ability to ask.

I’ll leave you with a "blind question" to ponder: Are you asking questions to guide others toward the answer you already have, or are you asking to see what they might discover?

How do you handle silence in your meetings? Do you rush to fill it, or do you let it breathe?